Metals of Honour
Tatler Malaysia|March 2020
In developing innovative new precious metal alloys, watchmakers are working to make timepieces both tougher and more beautiful than ever
Christian Barker
Metals of Honour

The word precious may refer to something valuable, but don’t forget it can also mean fussy, finicky and difficult. Both interpretations apply when talking about precious metals. Gold, for instance, possesses reassuring heft and, thanks to its inert nature, is hypoallergenic. But in its unadulterated form, it’s too soft and malleable to be used in jewellery or watchmaking: it can easily lose shape or be scratched or dinged.

That’s why jewellers and watchmakers have long added a dash of more rigid materials to precious metals, creating alloys of vastly improved stability and strength. There’s been little innovation in the formulation of alloys over the past few hundred years. Most watchmakers contentedly use 18-carat gold, comprising about 75 per cent gold, 12.5 per cent copper and 12.5 per cent silver in the case of yellow gold; 75 per cent gold and 25 per cent copper for red gold; and 90 per cent gold with 10 per cent nickel for white gold. However, in recent times, a number of forward-thinking houses of horology have begun developing new, proprietary alloys that eliminate certain shortcomings of traditional blends.

Watchmaker Hublot applies the corporate philosophy The Art of Fusion to the realm of materials. The company has created patented mash-ups including Hublonium, made of magnesium and aluminium; Texalium, a carbon/ aluminium composite; King Gold, a vibrant 18-carat redgold alloy with boosted copper content and platinum to stabilise the colour and neutralise oxidation; and Magic Gold, which the company claims is “the world’s first and only” scratch-proof 18-carat gold/ceramic.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2020 de Tatler Malaysia.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2020 de Tatler Malaysia.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE TATLER MALAYSIAVer todo
Waves of Wonder
Tatler Malaysia

Waves of Wonder

Chaumet's Ondes & Merveilles high jewellery collection invents a unique language of the sea, capturing the colours and joy of life within and around the expansive depths

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 2024
Bright, Light, Bella
Tatler Malaysia

Bright, Light, Bella

Bella Hadid's star shines brighter as the new face of Chopard's iconic Ice Cube collection

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 2024
Beauty Playbook
Tatler Malaysia

Beauty Playbook

We tapped the British make-up extraordinaire Pat McGrath to talk all things beauty as she takes us through her early beginnings, creative process, make-up tips and more

time-read
5 minutos  |
September 2024
The Chloé Woman, Reborn
Tatler Malaysia

The Chloé Woman, Reborn

As we head into fall-winter 2024, let's unpack one of the most anticipated collections of the season-Chemena Kamali's homecoming collection for Chloé

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 2024
To the Mun and Back
Tatler Malaysia

To the Mun and Back

Korean actress Mun Ka-young opens up about her dream destinations and her non-negotiable in-flight skincare essentials

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 2024
One Step at Time
Tatler Malaysia

One Step at Time

We speak to Edgardo Osorio, founder of luxury footwear brand Aquazzura, on his vision of comfort and glamour, from weddings to world stages

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 2024
Seams Like Art
Tatler Malaysia

Seams Like Art

Eleen Tan, a fashion illustrator and art lecturer, talks about finding success and fulfilment in the fast-paced fashion industry without sewing a single stitch

time-read
5 minutos  |
September 2024
POWERFUL LITTLE PERFORMER
Tatler Malaysia

POWERFUL LITTLE PERFORMER

In both her wardrobe choices and acting roles, Eyka Farhana demonstrates remarkable range

time-read
10 minutos  |
September 2024
HOT DAME!
Tatler Malaysia

HOT DAME!

Meet the chic 89-year-old great-grandmother whose story of family and romantic reunion is as awe-inspiring as her timeless elegance

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2024
Digital Transformation
Tatler Malaysia

Digital Transformation

Newly appointed managing director of Microsoft Malaysia Laurence Si brings 30 years of experience to the role

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 2024